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Gift of Life Donor Program and Mercy Health System Recognized National Donate Life Month in April

Gift of Life Encourages Individuals to Generate Hope, Advocacy and Passion by Registering to Become an Organ, Tissue and Cornea Donor

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA (May 3, 2016) – Mercy Health System is pleased to have joined the Gift of Life Donor Program and organ procurement organizations throughout the country to inspire hope, advocacy and passion during National Donate Life Month and beyond. Gift of Life is encouraging individuals to register to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor.

Each day, 21 people in the United States die while waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. “The number of people in need of transplants far exceeds the number of organs, tissues and corneas that are donated, and at Gift of Life, we’re passionate about educating people on the need to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor,” said Howard M. Nathan, President and CEO. “It’s only through education, community outreach and our strong partnerships with the 15 transplant centers and 129 acute care hospitals in our area that we are able to save more lives.”

Throughout the month of April, Mercy Health System colleagues helped to promote the importance of organ donation, including participation in National Blue & Green Day on April 15.

“As a health system, we are uniquely positioned to not only tend to the health of our patients, but to inspire our community to be mindful of wellness in all aspects of life,” said Kathryn Conallen, senior vice president and CEO of Acute Operations at Mercy Health System. “Throughout the month of April, Mercy Health System worked to inspire people to become organ donors as part of our mission to be advocates for the well-being of our communities.”

Individuals were and continue to be encouraged to talk with family members and friends about registering as a donor. Each organ, tissue and cornea donor can help up to 50 people. To sign up, visit www.donors1.org.

About Gift of Life Donor Program

Since 1974, Gift of Life has coordinated more than 40,000 life-saving organ transplants and an estimated 600,000 tissue transplants. Gift of Life serves as the link between donors and patients awaiting life-saving organ and life-enhancing tissue transplants. Serving nearly 11 million people in the region, Gift of Life’s coordination of over 44 donors-per-million-population ranks among the highest in the world. For more information about donation and to register, visit us at donors1.org.